PESHAWAR: Speakers paid rich tributes to great poet-philosopher Allama Mohammad Iqbal at a special function arranged at the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (SBBWU) on Thursday. The programme was hosted at the Larama Campus of the university to mark the 140th birth anniversary of great poet-philosopher. The Urdu Department of the varsity and Cultural Centre of the Islamic Republic of Iran had collaborated for arranging the event. Speeches were made on the life and work of Allama Iqbal. Professor Dr Muhammad Saleem, a former chairman of the Department of Philosophy, University of Peshawar, Dr Faqira Khan Faqri, Dr Farkhana Qazi of Peshawar University and Dr Antal Zia of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University dwelt at the topic. Among other speakers were Director General, Cultural Centre of Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr Syed Abbas Famouri, a noted scholar of the Persian language, Syed Ghayoor Hussain, and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Vice-Chancellor Dr Razia Sultana. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Saleem's topic was permanent value of Iqbal's philosophy. He said Allama Iqbal was one of the most distinguished and perceptive minds of the 20th century, who touched upon almost all the major themes of philosophy and left indelible marks on these issues. The scholar said Allama Iqbal devoted a considerable time and talent to the problem of self and self-identity or to borrow his own expression, the concept of Khudi. "How our self gets strengthened and intensified, and how it gets dissipated and destroyed is indeed central to his thought and philosophy," he added. The professor said Allama Iqbal philosophy seemed to present a highly well-knit and coherent system. Dr. Muhammad Saleem said it was unfortunate that Allama Iqbal had not received the kind of attention he deserved. "It is ironical that not a single university in Pakistan has ever offered a graduate level exclusive course on Iqbal and his thoughts. This lamentable situation needs immediate redress for his thoughts are as relevant to our national survival as they were to our national independence and freedom in the first instance," concluded the scholar. The function was also attended by large number of students and faculty members.
